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RUSSIAN tourism officials announced Thursday that Chinese tourists visiting their country will no longer require a visa.
Chinese tourists can now visit Russia visa-free by joining any of the 700 travel agencies approved by China's National Tourism Administration to organize group tours to Russia.
The visa exemption will save each tourist US$50, as well as the seven working days needed for visa processing, which Chinese visitors to Russia had required until Thursday.
Only a small number of Russian cities, including Moscow, was open to Chinese tourists visa-free before Thursday's announcement.
The new rule will help reduce the prices for package tours to Russia. An eight-day tour to Moscow and St. Petersburg costs between 7,500 (US$937) and 9,800 yuan. The prices are expected to drop.
Popular tourist destinations in Russia include the Red Square and Kremlin in Moscow, and the Winter Palace and Summer Palace in St. Petersburg.
Editor: Yan
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